All this from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

In 1994, The Presbyterian Church in Canada adopted the Confession to God and to Aboriginal people for its role in the Indian Residential School System. The church is committed to walking with Indigenous people on a journey toward reconciliation and living out the spirit of its Confession.

The Healing and Reconciliation Program was established by General Assembly in 2006 to assist The Presbyterian Church in Canada in restoring right relations with Indigenous people. The program provides resources to raise awareness among Presbyterians about the impact of colonialism on Indigenous people and supports initiatives that build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Staff in Justice Ministries and members of the Healing and Reconciliation Advisory Committee work with Presbyterians at all levels of the church to foster leaders committed to promoting reconciliation efforts in their congregations and in their communities. The church works with ecumenical partners in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action including support for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action

While all the Calls to Action are significant for all Canadians, there are those that directly name the churches. What do these specific Calls to Action mean and how are Presbyterians responding? Our Church Responds.

Acknowledging Traditional Territory

A guide to assist congregations and courts of the church to incorporate an acknowledgment of traditional Indigenous territory into worship, meetings and other gatherings.

The Blanket Exercise

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. Blankets arranged on the floor represent the land. Participants begin to see the impact that colonization and loss of land has had on Indigenous people as the blankets are folded up and removed. The activity invites participants to consider how to begin to heal broken relationships and what their next steps toward reconciliation will be.

Why Truth and Reconciliation Matters to Presbyterians

In 1994, The Presbyterian Church in Canada confessed its role in the tragic legacy of the Indian residential schools. The church is committed to walking with Indigenous people on a journey toward reconciliation, and living out the spirit of the confession. This video contains messages from Presbyterians from across Canada about why truth and reconciliation is important to them.